Display stand



Jan. 19, 1960 E. w. DECKER ETAL DISPLAY STAND Filed Feb. 15, 1958 United States Patent O DISPLAY STAND Edward W. Decker, Webster Groves, VWilliam J. Keller, St. Louis, Arthur J. Killaren, Florrisant, and Anton J. Mueller, Crestwood, Mo., assignors to Keller Manufacturing Company, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation Y of Missouri Application February 13, 1958, Serial No. 715,072

Claims. (Cl. 211-148) This invention relates to display stands, and more particularly, to a display stand on which merchandise is displayed and which is constructed so that it can be readily moved about with the merchandise thereon.

It will be understood that display stands must be economical and present a pleasing appearance. In order to maintain the cost at a low level, display stands are often formed of light-weight sheet material, such as paperboard, plastic or thin sheet metal, which are generally satisfactory from the viewpoint of appearance. On the other hand, such materials tend to be weak and easily distorted, especially if an attempt is made to move the stand and merchandize together.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a display stand which is readily moved with the merchandise thereon and which possesses considerable resistance to distortion, although formed of economical light-weight materials. Y

Among the several other objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a display stand which is readily assembled or disassembled to facilitate compact shipment and storage; the provision of a display stand of this character which, in its erected position, is economical, compact, sturdy and conveniently moved; and the provision of a display stand which is formed in large part of light-weight sheet material and a light-weight frame structure so as to have considerable rigidity without undue weight.

Various other objects of the invention will be apparent in the following detailed description, but briey, the display stand of this invention comprises a generally vertical back adapted to extend substantially from the oor to a height near eye level, for example, four feet. A merchandise-supporting platform is secured to the back at the bottom thereof and is supported on a pair of rear wheels and a front leg. The merchandise is stacked upon the base platform, which is rigidly secured to the back, and the top of the back is formed with means for receiving a price card or other sales promotional items. If desired, additional merchandise-supporting members may be cantilevered from the back at other levels below the price card holding means, and these members may be either of the platform or basket type.

More particularly, the invention contemplates a display stand formed with a pair of elongate sheet-metal side frame members fastened to a back reinforcing grid formed of r'od, wire or similar metal of small cross-section. The base platform is also formed with a pair of sheet-metal side frame members removably but rigidly secured to the back side member in overlapping relation. A oor is carried by the base side members, and the back side members are reinforced by the back grid. The grid is advantageously formed from rod, wire, tube or channel members which can be readily bent and welded to` gether, so as to achieve a light-weight structure of considerable rigidity. The wheels are journalled on an axle which extends through the overlapping portions of the side frame members for increased strength. Finally, provi- ICC siolci1 is made at the top of the back for holding a display car Other features of the invention will be in part apparent from and in part pointed out in the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

h Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display stand embodying features of this invention;

Fig.- 2 is a rear view, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section vtaken on the line 4- 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical detailed section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed section taken on line 6 6 of'Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a view of the back ygrid in plan.,

Referring now to the drawings, the display stand comprises a base platform generally designated 1, on which merchandize is stacked or otherwise arranged for display. For example, the stand might be used in -a grocery store to hold a stack of cans or boxes. The platform 1 is movably supported on rear Wheels 3 and a front leg 5, and a back, generally designated 7, rises vertically from the rear of the platform. This back is of a Width corresponding to the width of the platform and of a height considerably greater than the length (front to rear) of the platform. Preferably, the height of the back is about four feet, so that the upper portion is near eye level. The upper portion of the back then holds a display card C bearing price information and the like. Also, it will be apparent that the back conveniently permits tilting of the platform to facilitate movement about the premises, with or without the merchandize.

Fig. l also illustrates a second merchandize-supporting member 9 in the form of a basket, which is cantilevered from the back at a level below the display card-holding means but above the base platform. Of course, there may be additional merchandize-supporting members arranged at various other levels, and the merchandize-supporting members may be of varying type.

More particularly, the base platform comprises side members 11 formed of sheet metal, such as twenty gauge steel. These side members are connected by a front panel 13 and have upper flanges 15 extending beneath and secured to a floor panel 17. This floor panel may be formed of wood, iiberboard and yother relatively rigid material. It will also be noted that the side members 11 are of a tapering shape, such that the front portions 5 thereof support the platform on the floor while the rear portions of the platform are supported above floor level by the Wheels 3. t

The back 7 of the display stand includes a discrete reinforcing panel-like reinforcing element 19 of substantial width and length. Preferably, this reinforcing element is a grid 19 readily manufactured from a length of rod which is bent into a rectangular outline and which is reinforced by cross and angled members 21 of bar stock or wire, as illustrated. As such, the frame has side legs 23, a bottom cross bar 25, and a top bar 27, the grid being of a height substantially equal to that of the back.

In addition, the back includes a second pair of side frame members 29 formed of sheet material, such as twenty gauge steel. The side members 29 are of an elongate upwardly-tapering shape and have front flanges 31 and back flanges 33. A channel-like top member 35 with downturned end portions 36 is then secured across the top ends of side members 29 as by screws 34 in order to complete the outer sheet metal portion of the back. A second channel member 37 is secured at 38 below the top member 35 and has upwardly directed flanges, as illustrated. As such, the cross channels 35 and 37 along with the side members 29 define a frame for the displaycard C. This display card is held by a panel 39, which is fastened within Vthis upper. display frame, and. it will kbe understoodlth'at'the panel'39' may be paintedor other- Wise coated sothat price information and the like can be inscribed thereonby. a grease pencil. .The panel 39V is also formed with tongues 41 upset therefromV at' its side and bottom margins so that the display card' inserted from the topV will be held thereby.

The'basket 9 is secured to the side members 29 immediately below the upper display portion of the back. This basket may 'be conveniently formed of sti Wire, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.' The upper wire portion 42 of the .basket has end portions 43 extending rearwardly and inturned so as to be engaged within holes 44 punched in the side members 29.

The base platform'and' back are secured' together by means of their respective side members 11' and 29. More particularly, the front flange of the side members 29 is cut away at 45 near the lower ends thereof so that the side members 1'1 ofthe base can be arranged in inwardly overlapped relationship with the back-forming side members 29. Necessarily, the base side members are at right angles to the back side members although the main panel portions thereof are in substantially coplanar relationship. The overlapping portions are fastened together, as by screws 47 (Fig. 5) or Vother fastening means. The screws provide for knock-down shipment. Also, an axle 49 for the Wheels extends through the overlapping portions of both side members` for further strength, the wheels 3 being secured on the ends of the axle.

In order to facilitate assembly and disassembly, the wheels are preferably secured by cotter pins 50 and screws 47`Vare used in securing the base platform 1 to the back 3. The basket 9 is readily removed by spreading the inturned end'portions 43 thereof so that 'they become disengaged with the holes inthe sides of the back. Also, the basket may be swung upwardly, if desired.

The sheet material side members 11 and 29 provide an attractive appearance and form a relatively strong connection between the back and base platform. On the other hand, the sheet metal sides of the back would be relatively easily distorted' but for the grid 1.9. The provision of this open work grid or reinforcingY device is of considerable importance in providing the necessary rigidity and strength, and it isY fastened at spaced points along its side legs 23 to the side panels 29 ofthe back. In the embodiment illustrated (Figs. and 6) clips 51 secured by screws 53 constitute the means by which kthe frame is fastened to the side members 29, but it will be understood that theframe may be fastened in other ways, such as by spotwelding.

Fromthe foregoing description, it is apparent that those skilledv in the art will understand the structure, function and mode of operation of the invention herein disclosed,

and appreciate the advantages thereof. Although one embodiment has been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but the drawings and description thereof are to be understood as being merely illustrative. It is realized that many modications and variations will present themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this y invention or the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus` described therinvention, what is claimed Y and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A knock-downV display cart comprising a forwardlyprojecting base and an upwardly-projectingback, said base. being formed by a pair of laterally-spaced-,frame members extending along opposite sides ofthe base and by an overlying panel secured to said members, said back being formed by av second pair of laterally-spaced frame members extending along opposite sides of the back and by a discrete panel-like reinforcing element'of a width sufficient to span the associated frame members and of a greater lengthgsuchas to extend vertically a substantial distance along the associated back frame members, said reinforcing element having side margins secured at spaced points therealong to. theV frame members of the back, means removably securing the end of said framemembers ofthe. base tothe ends of theframe members of the"back, thereby to, provide for knock- Vdown assembly, a Wheel shaft extending transversely through thedisplay cartand supported by said base and back frame members adjacent their interconnection, wheels removably,k secured. to. said.v shaft, thereby to support the display cart at the back of said base, and foot means formed at said front of the base for otherwise supporting the display cart so that the base is .generally horizontal and the back generally vertical.l

2; A display cart as set forth in claim 1, further including an open work shelf removably secured' to said back of this display cart in spaced relationship above the base platform, said panel-like reinforcing element extending from a point adjacent the base platformto a point above said removable shelf. t

3. A display cartas set forth in claim l, wherein saidV panel-like reinforcingelement is formed' as an open-work grid-like structure, thereby to provide' rigidity and light weight.

4. A display4 cart as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base frame members overlap with the back frame members at the interconnection thereof.

5.v A knock-down display cart comprisinga forwardlyprojecting base and' an upwardly-projecting back, said base being formed by a pair of relatively thin laterally spacedV frame members extending along'opposite sides of thebase and by an overlying panel secured to said frame members, said frame members being mounted in vertical planes at right angles to the associated panel, said back being formed by a pair of relatively thin laterally-spaced frame members extending along opposite sides Vof the back and by a discrete panel-like reinforcing element of a width sutii'cient to Span the associated frame members and of a greater length sutlicient to extend from a point adjacent the base upwardly a substantial distance along the associated frame members,.said reinforcing element having marginal portions secured atA spaced points therealong to the back frame members, the back `frame members being mounted in planesY at right angles' to said panel-like reinforcing element, means removably securing the base. frame members to the back frame members, a

vpair of wheels removably supported from said frame members adjacent the interconnection thereof, and foot means at the frontV of the base otherwise supporting the art with the base generally horizontal and the back generally vertical.

References Cited in the tile of this patentY 2,693,968A Bateman NOV. 9, 1954 

